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  • vicroamer
    replied
    Re: Silvia questions

    so other than a PID kit are there any other mods can be done
    I get more consistent pours since replacing the hex head screw with a countersunk screw, a nice inexpensive little mod, but it will void the warranty.
    http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/esp...inemods/358287

    Leave a comment:


  • Banjo
    replied
    Re: Silvia questions

    thanks Scoota Gal, sounds like the Silvia is more than capable in the right hands

    Chris, i have no idea, it does seem like an issue like that from my end but considering ive never had dramas with pages loading im at a bit of a loss but will start looking into it

    being completely new and not having researched the Levetta as much yet, what benefits does the Levetta have over the Silvia other than the obvious big improvements with E-61 group and the larger boiler ?

    Banjo

    Leave a comment:


  • scoota_gal
    replied
    Re: Silvia questions

    To answer your question on how many drinks can you quickly churn out on Silvia...

    When our commercial machine blew a boiler a few months back, I took the Silvia in to help with at least getting some sort of a decent cup out in the cafe.

    I thought that the little "domestic" machine did very well for itself. Admittedly, I juggled between pouring shots and a steaming...would see how many drinks were lined up and if I could get away with the lag time between swapping over from shot to steam. Some times I was even heating milk in the microwave, that was mainly for takeaways.

    So, that was probably the hardest that machine had ever had to work in its life, but it did the job admirably in what could only be classed as a commercial environment!

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    Re: Silvia questions

    Originally posted by Banjo link=1216798555/0#9 date=1217144835
    hi Chris/Jim

    thought my prob might be something to do with Mozilla but i just tried to access pidkits through Internet Explorer and got the same deal, unable to load the page, not sure what the prob could be because im not having any dramas accessing other sites, as i said at first i thought it may be a dodgey link but ive actually used links from google and still having the same prob

    Banjo
    Hi Banjo,

    I just checked and I can still load Jims pages at my end. Your browser/firewall?

    Keep in mind that Silvia + PID + Mazzer = Levetta + Mazzer.

    regards

    Chris

    Leave a comment:


  • Banjo
    replied
    Re: Silvia questions

    hi Chris/Jim

    thought my prob might be something to do with Mozilla but i just tried to access pidkits through Internet Explorer and got the same deal, unable to load the page, not sure what the prob could be because im not having any dramas accessing other sites, as i said at first i thought it may be a dodgey link but ive actually used links from google and still having the same prob

    Chris, i saw a post where someone had purchased a Vibiemme Domobar Vashetta (aka Levetta) through you, so yep curiosity got the better of me and i went and checked them out on your site, i dont think even i could talk myself into spending the extra at this stage but funnier things have happened lol, geez a few weeks back i was all set for a Cafe Roma and then i came across this damn site and look whats happened > ;D
    so far im at a Silvia/Mazzer

    Banjo

    Leave a comment:


  • jggall01
    replied
    Re: Silvia questions

    Originally posted by Banjo link=1216798555/0#6 date=1216989109
    ive been trying to access the PID website through Chriss links on his website as well as googled links and it seems to have been down for weeks ?
    anyone else having probs accessing the site ?
    Hi, Banjo -

    Sorry for the trouble getting to our website. Are you still unable to access it?

    I was not aware of any problems, but will look into it further if you continue to have difficulty.

    Jim
    www.pidkits.com

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    Re: Silvia questions

    Originally posted by Banjo link=1216798555/0#6 date=1216989109
    hmmm, looks like a pidd Silvia then, geez more money lol, you should already hear and see the reactions when i tell people what im planning on spending to make a coffee at home  
    not to mention im going to have to take to the machines with a screwdriver and debadge them so the g/f cant check up and see how much ive spent lol

    ive been trying to access the PID website through Chriss links on his website as well as googled links and it seems to have been down for weeks ?
    anyone else having probs accessing the site ?

    thanks again for all the advice, i really appreciate it  

    Banjo
    Hi Banjo,

    I have checked the links on our Silvia page and they are live for me  :-/...Nevertheless: http://www.pidkits.com/sd3c.html

    At this price point (Silvia+PID), you should also have a look at the Vibiemme Domobar Vashetta (aka Levetta). Its a gorgeous machine and has the famous e-61 group, 700 ml boiler and is 18kg of grunt! There are many happy Aussie owners .

    We would be pleased to assist you with either machine.

    regards

    Chris

    Leave a comment:


  • Banjo
    replied
    Re: Silvia questions

    hmmm, looks like a pidd Silvia then, geez more money lol, you should already hear and see the reactions when i tell people what im planning on spending to make a coffee at home
    not to mention im going to have to take to the machines with a screwdriver and debadge them so the g/f cant check up and see how much ive spent lol

    ive been trying to access the PID website through Chriss links on his website as well as googled links and it seems to have been down for weeks ?
    anyone else having probs accessing the site ?

    thanks again for all the advice, i really appreciate it

    Banjo

    Leave a comment:


  • NewToEspresso
    replied
    Re: Silvia questions

    Agree with the previous posts re PID and multiple milk based drinks. The step up from the silvia is a rather steep one, going to HX territory. I suppose the question is, how often would you need to make multiple milk drinks? Personally I found that when I had 4 others over and had to make 6 milk based drinks, it took a painfully long time (exacerbated by the fact that I meticulously clean the head after each shot to get rid of grinds on the shower screen, PF gap etc..). However, Id be lucky to have that many people over for coffee once a month, so it makes justifying buying a HX a little hard PLUS I dont really even use it on weekdays for myself.
    If you find yourself entertaining more than 4 guests every weekend or every couple of weekends, then I would seriously consider a HX.

    Leave a comment:


  • reubster
    replied
    Re: Silvia questions

    Banjo

    I doubt youd find anyone who would deny that the PID mod is nothing short of amazing, but you will appreciate it more if youve used a Silvia without one.
    Silvia without a PID is still a very good machine though.

    With PID
    You can pull a GREAT and repeatable shot anytime [no temp surfing]
    You can set the optimum temp for each bean/blend at the push of a button.
    You only have to worry about grind/dose/tamp.
    You can always see what is going on [temp wise]
    It probably shaves about 20sec of the wait [usually 50sec] before you can steam: this is because the boiler temp at completion of a PID shot is higher and having visual indication of the boiler temp allows you to bleed at say, 117C [about 25 sec after the shot] and by the time youve grabbed the milk carton, its up to 130C and ready to steam.

    ERGO:....TOTALLY JUSTIFYABLE!


    As for other mods, changing the supplied 12g silvia double basket, to a more standard 14g double basket makes all the difference.
    You have to have very good technique to get a great shot from a 12g basket.
    The extra coffee makes Silvia a lot less fussy [ie its much easier to get consistant shots]
    plus
    Most good shots youd have tasted anywhere, will have been produced with 14g baskets [or higher] generally: more coffee=more flavour, so what you can produce with 14g will be more in line with what youd expect.

    Dont underestimate the improvements of a quality well fitted tamper either.
    Many of us have ordered a Pullman Tamper customised to match a new 14g basket.........the improvements are huge.
    Personally Id say this is mandatory.

    Finally, given your original post:

    More than 2 drinks at a time becomes a bit of a pain [especially if you are very fussy about the quality of your espresso shots, but you can live with it and your guests will never complain about the wait.

    If multiple drinks is important, you should maybe consider the Vibiemme Domobar Levetta.....price wise it is a great compromise between a Silvia and an HX machine.
    Essentially a singler boiler like the Silvia, but with a much larger boiler allowing back to back shots and greater steam power.
    It also has the E61 group....so better thermal stability and plenty of BLING!

    Leave a comment:


  • Banjo
    replied
    Re: Silvia questions

    thanks for the feedback and advice guys

    so other than a PID kit are there any other mods can be done and is the PID kit justifiable anyway ?

    Banjo

    Leave a comment:


  • Bullitt
    replied
    Re: Silvia questions

    Hi Banjo,

    In reverse order, yes get the Mazzer if you can afford it, occasionally I would like smaller differences in the grind adjustment on my Rocky, the Mazzer will do it, and will be good enough for any machine you ever have at home. If finances are an issue then Rocky is a good grinder.

    Silvia will make vastly superior coffee to most thermoblock machines, especially if you have a good grinder and use freshly roasted beans. Silvia is well designed and built to last, is relatively easy to repair/maintain, and has some scope for modification to improve her further. If you do decide to upgrade later on, Silvia will have better re-sale than most other machines in that price range.

    Once you get your routine down, you should be able to do 4 caps/lattes in about 5 mins or so.
    As Greenman said, you do the shots first, into well preheated cups is good,
    then steam the milk.
    Mostly you will watch your pour/s to ensure you get the best shot/s you can, then I find that by the time I get jug etc ready for steaming, Silvia is ready to steam, (remember that you want to start steaming before the steam light goes off, and maintain the element on for the steaming process to get best steam performance)

    I think the time is negligible compared to the result, and even adding the cost of PID controller, the cost difference to go to HX machine is significant.
    Similarly, even if I had a HX machine I doubt that I would be be simultaneously brewing and steaming at home unless it was for lots and lots of drinks.

    Suggest also think about the relative portability of Silvia compared to larger HX machines,...may or may not be an issue for you.

    Finally , another important consideration is to get some training in how to get the best from your new machine, whatever you buy. If you buy from a sponsor, they will be happy to assist you in this area.

    Leave a comment:


  • greenman
    replied
    Re: Silvia questions

    Hi Banjo, Silvia is a great machine but as you mention making several milk based drinks is a drawn out process.
    I can manage 4 latte/capos in reasonable time, I pull the shots (4 singles) and then steam the milk and pour the four together. Its fairly quick to pull two double shots to give 4 single shot espresso and then steam the milk in 2 jugs. Any more than 4 and you would be looking at an HX machine or a Sunbeam 6910 with the twin thermoblocks.
    If you can affort the Mazzer go for it.

    Leave a comment:


  • Banjo
    started a topic Silvia questions

    Silvia questions

    hi everyone, been lurking for a few weeks but this is my first post so id just like to say hello to everyone  

    i was looking to buy my first machine, basically i thought a Cafe Roma would do the trick but after pouring over this site ive learnt so much and realise a Silvia would be a far better investment

    one thing i have read and understand to a certain degree is the Silvia has its drawbacks with making multiple milk based cups and have seen where other members have upgraded because of this, the one thing i havent read is how big of an issue is this ?

    from what i can understand the problem is not being able to use the wand at the same time as making the coffee ?
    i will be making 1-2 caps/lattes most of the time but with friends coming over, say 3-4 drinks all up what kind of time frame we looking at ?

    also was looking to buy the Rocky in a package deal along with the base but starting to lean toward the Mazzer Mini

    any help would be appreciated

    Banjo

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